Selective dispensing of stored articles

ABSTRACT

Fixed modules carry a plurality of slides which, in turn, form a plurality of side-by-side storage compartments. The slides are selectively extracted along their longitudinal axis from the modules and an article is removed from a selected compartment by aligning the compartment with an evacuation device, which preferably passes through part of the compartment at right angles to remove the article.

United States Patent [191 Guigan 1 SELECTIVE DISPENSING OF STOREDARTICLES [76] Inventor: Jean Guigan, 9 rue Jean Mermoz,

Paris, France 22 Filed: May 22,1972

21 App1.No.:255,475

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 21, 1971 France 71.18429 [52]US. Cl. 221/224 [51] Int. Cl B65h 3/24 [58] Field of Search 221/224,225, .05; 340/1725 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,679,3545/1954 Skillman 221/0.5

[ June 25, 1974 Nolde et a1. 221/0.5

3,034,643 5/1962 Keller et al. 221/0.5 3,084,334 4/1963 Martin et al.22l/0.5

Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles Assistant ExaminerDavid A ScherbelAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue, Rothwell. Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57]ABSTRACT Fixed modules carry a plurality of slides which, in

' turn, form a plurality of side-by-side storage compartments. Theslides are selectively extracted along their longitudinal axis from themodules and an article is removed from a selected compartment byaligning the compartment with an evacuation device, which preferablypasses through part of the compartment at right angles to remove thearticle.

20 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] JUNZ 51974 SHEET 1 OF 9 FIG/IPATENTEDJUN25I974 3.819.088

4 sum 3 or 9 FIG.3 50 40 PATENTED JUNZS I974 FIG.5

PATENTEDJUHZS I924 sum 5 [1F 9 FIG.6

PATENTEUJUNESISM SHEET 6 BF 9 I FIG.8

PAIENIED-JUNZSISH SHEET 7 BF 9 FIG/i0 PATENTEB JUN25 I974 SHEET -8 [1F-9 FIG/l1 SELECTIVE DISPENSING OF STORED ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to adevice for the storage and dispensing of elements of any desired kind.

Such a device is advantageously applied to the storage and dispensing ofpharmaceutical products in a dispensary or of labels, tags, cards, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention toprovide a device permitting the storage of an extremely large number ofarticles and the automatic dispensing thereof; at the same time thereplenishment with said articles is to be capable of being readilyeffected.

The present invention relates to a device for the storage and dispensingof articles comprising:

at least one vertical slide disposed in a fixedmodule and constituted bya row of vertical compartments, the purpose of which is to contain thearticles,

and means for the extraction of an article from one of the saidcompartments,

characterized by a step by step motor for extracting said slide from thesaid module (or unit) in a movement of translation, the direction ofwhich is perpendicular to said compartments so as to put saidcompartment in a predetermined position relative to a means forevacuation of said article.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be disclosed inthe description following hereinbelow, with reference to theaccompanying drawings which are given purely by way of non-limitativeillustration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, anexample of the verti- FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, an assembly ofslides constituting a module (or unit) of a storage and dispensingdevice according to the invention.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate, respectively, as a plan view, a sectionview and a view in perspective, an example of the device permitting theextraction of a slide from its module.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are, respectively, a front view and a perspective view ofa variant of the device permitting the extraction of a slide from itsmodule.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variant of the means for theextraction and evacuation of an article stored in a device according tothe invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, views in perspective and in section ofa variant of a compartment associated with a device according to theinvention.

FIG. 11 is an extremely diagrammatic plan view of a variant of thedevice according to the invention, comprising two storage modules andmeans for the dispensing of the articles extracted from said modules.

FIGS. 12a and 12b are diagrammatic perspective views of two modes ofpackaging articles dispensed by a device according to the invention andas illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a variant of the device according tothe invention designed for the storage of flat articles such as labels,tags, etc.

FIG. 14 is a view in cross-section of a slide associated with the deviceshown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In all figures, like elements havebeen given the same reference numerals.

A vertical slide 1, associated with a device according to the inventionand illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a plurality of verticalcompartments l0, juxtaposed and defined by vertical partitionspermitting the horizontal grouping of articles or stacks of articles.The spacing of the lateral walls 11, 12 of a compartment is optional andvaries from one compartment to another.

Each compartment has two apertures located opposite each other,respectively in its front face 13 and in its rear face (no referencenumeral), permitting the extraction ofa stored article; in the exampleillustrated, the apertures are located at the lower portion of thecompartment.

The base 14 of the compartment 10 is formed with a slot 15 extendingentirely through it.

The slide, suspended by horizontal and parallel slideways 10,co-operating with grooves formed in the faces 13, is associated withmeans permitting its displacement in its own plane, in a directionperpendicular to the compartments 10 (the direction of this translationmovement is indicated by reference numeral 9).

The displacement means comprise, for example, a linear motor, theinductor (field magnet) 3 of which is stationaryand the armature 4 andyoke 5 of which are displaceable and are fast with the upper face ofslide 1.

The linear motor may be replaced by an ordinary motor, associated with alocking means or by a step-bystep motor or the like.

It is a function of the aforesaid displacement means to put acompartment 10 into a predetermined position relative to the means forthe extraction of an article from the compartment, and relative to meansfor evac-' uation of the extracted article, such means beinglocated atthe level of the lower base of the slide 1, externally of the saidslide.

In this case, the evacuation means is a horizontal conveyor belt 7disposed perpendicular to the direction of the movement of translation9.

The extraction means is an ejector lug 8 secured to the conveyor belt 7and designed to enter into the slot 15 of the compartment 10 and toextract the article supported by the base 14 of the compartment 10.

' The movements of the slide 10 and of the ejector lug are synchronizedby an electronic system (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates, diagrammatically and in perspective a module 20comprising a plurality of slides of the aforesaid type.

Such a module comprises a frame 17 in which are disposed in juxtaposedrelationship at their faces 13, an optional number of slides such as theslide 1. Associated with each module 20 is a single conveyor belt 7permitting the conveying of an article extracted from a slide towards acentral collecting means, for example, through intermediary of aconveyor belt 16.

A storage device according to the invention may comprise any optionalnumber of modules as described hereinabove.

It permits the rapid extraction of any product, the position of which inthe storage compartment is known.

the

By way of example, it will be assumed that it is desired to extract anelement 18 from the compartment 19 of the'slide l of the module 20: i

The motor associated with the slide 1 of the module 20 displaces theslide in such manner that the compartment 19 passes into position atright angles to the belt 7;

The lug 8, driven by the belt 7, engages and extracts the lower element18 of the stack of articles disposed in the compartment 19;

The slide 1 returns to its initial position while the element 18 istransported by the belt 7 and then by the conveyor belt 16 to thecentral recovery point.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as a plan view, a storage assembly comprising twomodules 30 and 40, of a type analagous to that of the module 20 anddisposed in such manner that the slides 31, 32, 33, etc., of the module30 are in prolongation of the slides 41, 42, 43, etc., of module 40.

Interposed between these two modules is a device 50, the width of whichis substantially equal to that of a module and the purpose of which isto permit the extraction of an element from one of the modules 30 and 40and to replenish the slides of the said modules. Each slide (forexample, slide 43) is displaceable in translation on two slideways 44and 45. The device 50 comprises a first mobile arrangement 51,comprising two parallel slideways 54 and 55 adapted to pass into aposition of prolongation of the slideways 45 and 44 of the slide 43 andof the slideways 34 and 35 of the slide 33.

The mechanism 51 is displaceable in translation in a direction indicatedby the arrow 56, perpendicular to that of the slides; it is guided, forexample, by two parallel rails 52 an 53. It may be set in motion throughintermediary of a rack or a travelling chain or even a linear motor (notshown).

FIGS. 4 and illustrate, respectively in section and in perspective, thetwo slides 33 and 43 associated with the device 50.

In this variant, the device 50 comprises a fixed member 57 having theshape of an upturned U, supporting on the one hand the slideways 44, 45,34 and 35 and on the other hand, the rails 52and 53. The structure ofthis member is such that the displaceable mechanism 51 is able to takeup a position therein when the slideways 54 and 55 are disposed inprolongation of the aforesaid slideways.

The means for displacing the slide 33 or the slide 43 in translation areconstituted by a second mobile arrangement 60 guided, for example, bytwo rails 61 and 62 parallel to the direction of the slides 43 and 33.

The mobile arrangement may comprise the mobile armature of a linearmotor, the fixed inductor of which has been given reference numeral 63.

It comprises, at one of its ends, an electromagnet 64 designed toco-operate with a stop 46 associated with the wall of the slide 43 and,at its second end, an electromagnet 65 adapted to cooperate with a stop36 associated with the slide 33. The member 57 is formed with a recess58 permitting passage of the stops 36 and 46.

With each arrangement 60 there may be associated a fixed inductor 63.According to a further embodiment, the mobile arrangementassociated withall the slides of the modules 30 and 40 are mechanically integral andare simultaneously rendered mobile by a single inductor. The sleectionof the slide is then effected by tripping the electromagnet associatedtherewith.

' The evacuation of the articles is effected with the aid of twoconveyor belts 37 and 47 associated respectively with the modules 30 and40 and each provided with at least one ejector lug 48.

Depending upon the product to be extracted, the compartment and theassociated slide 33 are selected; the mechanism 51 is disposed inprolongation of the slide 33 and the electromagnet 65 and the motor 63are tripped in such manner as to put the compartment at right angles tothe belt 37. In this case, it is the function of the mechanism 51 toguide the slide during its displacement.

In the case of FIGS. 4 and 5, the slide 33 has been shown at 33'completely extracted from its module 30 and accepted by the mobilemechanism 51, in a travel path indicated by an arrow 56.

The slide, which is readily accessible, may then be replenished.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a front view and a perspective view of a variant ofthe mobile mechanism 51 in FIG. 5, permitting the guiding of a slidewhen it travels out of its module and the extraction thereof from thestorage device, for replenishment thereof.

This mechanism comprises two ridged conveyor belts and 71 disposed oneabove the other between the two modules 30 and 40, the gap separatingthe lower portion of the belt 71 and the upper portion of the belt 70being smaller than, or equal to the height of a slide, in such manner asto enclose the latter.

The gap between the two ridges 73 and 75 of the belt 71 is substantiallyequal to the thickness of a slide; the same applies to the ridges of thebelt 70. When the belts are stationary, the ridges permit the guiding ofthe slide 33 at the instant of extraction thereof from the module 30.

The travelling belts 70 and 71 permit entrainment of the slide to theexterior of the storage device in the direction indicated by the arrow72, for restocking the same.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a variant of the means for extractionand evacuation of an article stored in the module 20.

In this variant, the extraction means is not tied to the evacuationmeans; it is constituted by an element disposed at the lower base of thesaid module, parallel to the latter and comprising a plurality ofejector fingers 81, 82, associated respectively with the slides of themodule 20. The element 80 preferably has imparted to it a reciprocatingmovement, imparted by a linear motor, the armature of which itconstitutes and the inductor 89 of which is fast relative to the module;the reciprocating movement is indicated diagrammatically by the twoarrows 83 and 84. The element 80 may be guided in its movement by twoslideways 87 and 8 mined compartment passes into alignment with theelement 80.

During its movement, the finger associated with the aforesaid slideengages and extracts the article bearing on the base of the compartment;the article slides on the surface 85 and is conveyed throughintermediary of the conveyor belt 86 towards the central recovery point.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are, respectively, the perspective and sectional views ofa variant of the storage compartments of a device according to theinvention.

Consideration will be given, by way of example to a compartment 92 of aslide 91 associated with a module 90. The compartment 92 is intended tocontain a stack of articles which are not identical. To this end, itcomprises an inner set of pigeon holes 93 adapted to be driven in amovement of vertical translation (direction diagrammatically indicatedby the arrow 98). I

This movement is imparted by a linear motor, the inductor 94 which issecured to the module 90 and the armature 95 which is associated withthe set of pigeon holes 93.

The evacuation means is constituted by a conveyor belt 97 disposedparallel to the module 90, the gap provided between -'the belt and themodule being sufficiently wide to permit the descent of the set ofpigeon holes, which is wider, contained in the module 90.

The extraction means is advantageously a lateral gripping means 96. r

The device described hereinabove permits the extraction of apredetermined article stored in the module 90 and optionalreintroduction thereof into the module after utilization. It isadvantageously applied to the storage of cards of the microfilm type,diapositives etc.

FIG. 11 illustrates very diagrammatically as plan view, a variant of thedevice according to the invention, I

comprising two storage modules 100 and 104 and a dispensing means forthe articles extracted from the said modules. a

The module 100 comprises slides 101, extraction means 102, evacuationmeans of the funnel type comprising an inclined surface 103 associatedwith a conveyor belt 108; similarly, the module 104 comprises slides105, extraction means 106 and evacuation means comprising an inclinedsurface 107, and the conveyor 108.. Disposed at the outlet of theconveyor 108 is dispensing means 114 constituted by a chain ofreceptacles 115 displaceable in the direction of the arrow 116.

The sequence of all the dispensing .operations may be automaticallycarried into effect by means of an electronic system 119 controlled froma panel 110. The computer is connected to means 113 for'controlling themovement of the slides in'the corresponding module, to means 117 forcontrolling the movement of the chain 114, to means 111 adapted to writeon the receptacles 1 15 identification data, by optical, magnetic,mechanical, etc., means and to means for'controlling the extraction andevacuation means.

FIG. 12a illustrates an example of the receptacle 120 suitable for usein the chain 114; the receptacle 120, which is preferably made fromplastics material is separated from the adjacent receptacle by tongues121 which are perforated and may be'ruptured by bending. Thus, thereceptacles may readily be separated from each other. They comprise astrip 122 for displaying data.

FIG. 12b shows a variant of the chain of receptacles manufactured insitu from a sheet of plastics material 123, upstream of the outlet ofthe conveyor belt 108. The various phases in the manufacture of the saidchain are indicated very diagrammatically by the arrows 124 to 128:

124: folding of the sheet 123,

125: introduction into the fold thus formed of an article which hasarrived at the outlet of the conveyor belt 108,

126: the writing of identification data on a window provided for thispurpose (the nature of the article, its destination. etc.),

127: formation of a receptacle 129 closed by heat sealing,

128: separation by cutting, of the receptacle 129. r

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a variant of the slide 131 associatedwith a module 130; the compartments of the slide 131 are defined byguide means pemiitting the arrangement of the articles in horizontalline, for example, of the type employing suspension means. The slide 131maintained in the module 130 at its upper portion 132, constitutingpreferably the armature of the linear motor which sets it in motion,comprises two inner bars and 136 secured to its front face 133 and toits rear face 134. The bars 135 and 136 are preferably parallel to thedirection of translation of the slide 131 and are at different verticallevels; they are formed with notches 139 defining narrow compartmentsintended for example for the storage of cards such as are illustrateddiagrammatically in FIG. 14. The card 144 comprises index tabs 142 and143 designed to co-operate with the notches formed in the bars 135 and136.

The device according to FIG. 13 comprises furthermore, means forevacuation of the stored cards, such as, for example, a conveyor belt1.37 and means for extraction of the articles such as, for example,grasping or gripping means, illustrated diagrammatically at 138; thegripping means is shown fast with the conveyor belt 137 and is adaptedto impart to the card 144 a reciprocating movement representeddiagrammatically by the storage module.

At all events, whatever the field of application thereof, such a devicesimultaneously makes possible:

storage of maximum compactness and thus a reduction of the groundsurface required;

a diminution in personnel requirements or in the amount of laborrequired for handling and storage work;

the employment of a computer permits automatic handling of the stock,i.e.:

permanent monitoring of the condition of the stock,

monitoring of the extraction of products, the preparation of restockingoperations. What is claimed is:

' 1. A device for the storage and distribution of articles comprising atleast one fixed module containing at least one horizontally movablevertical slide formed by two lateral walls and divided into verticalcompartments by guide means for the articles, each compartmentcontaining at least one article of a particular type, the two lateralwalls of the slide comprising in each compartment opposing aperturesdesigned to allow the passage of an article contained in thecompartment, these two apertures communicating with each other by way ofa slot provided in the base of said slide,

a step-by-step motor for removing the slide from said module accordingto a horizontal translation so as to bring a given compartment in frontof evacuation means disposed in a fixed manner along said module, and

extraction means for horizontal translation movement orthogonal to saidhorizontal translation movement of the slide and introduced into saidslot in order to eject an article through said apertures in saidevacuation means for extracting an article therefrom.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each compartmentis provided with guide means enabling identical articles to be stakedand in that said extraction means is disposed at the level of the baseof said slide.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidcompartments of said slide are'defined by suspension means enablingarticles to be arranged in a horizontal row, each compartment beingadapted to contain a single article, said extraction means beingdisposed at the level of the base of said slide.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said suspensionmeans comprise at least one notched bar which is parallel to thedirection of said horizontal translation of the slide.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of slides form arow and said extraction means is common to all slides in a particularrow of said module.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said extractionmeans is secured to said evacuation means.

,7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said evacuationmeans is a conveyor belt disposed perpendicular to the direction of saidslide translation and in that said extraction means is an ejector lugsecured to said belt.

8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said extractionmeans consists of an element situ- 'ated at the level of the base ofsaid module parallel to the latter bearing a plurality of ejectorfingers associated respectively with each of said slides of said moduleand subject to a reciprocating movement.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that said movement isinsured by a linear motor, the element of which is integral with thearmature.

10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidstep-by-step motor is a linear motor.

11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the inductorof said linear motor is secured to said module and that the armature isintegral with said slide.

12. A device according to claim 11, characterized in that said armatureis rendered integral with said slide by means of a controllable electromagnet cooperating with a metal portion of the slide.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of slides form arow and said armature is common to all the slides of said module.

14. A device according to claim 1,.further comprising means for ejectingsaid slide out of said module to enable it to be restacked witharticles.

15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that it alsocomprises an outer'element of said module capable of guiding at leastpart of the slide during its displacement.

.16. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that a pluralityof vertical slides are disposed side by side and in parallel in saidmodule, said guide elements being displaceable in translation in such amanner as to pass into the extension path of any one of said slides.

17. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that said elementscomprise slideways lying parallel to the movement of said slide.

18. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that said elementscomprise two conveyor belts provided with transverse notched linesdisposed one above the other and separated by a distance no greater thanthe height of said slides.

19. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that said means forejecting said slide out of said module'is constituted by mobile supportand guide means adapted to pass into the extension of this slide.

20. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it furthercomprises a central computer operatively connected to control elementsof said step-by-step motor, of said extraction means, and of saidevacuation means.

1. A device for the storage and distriBution of articles comprising atleast one fixed module containing at least one horizontally movablevertical slide formed by two lateral walls and divided into verticalcompartments by guide means for the articles, each compartmentcontaining at least one article of a particular type, the two lateralwalls of the slide comprising in each compartment opposing aperturesdesigned to allow the passage of an article contained in thecompartment, these two apertures communicating with each other by way ofa slot provided in the base of said slide, a step-by-step motor forremoving the slide from said module according to a horizontaltranslation so as to bring a given compartment in front of evacuationmeans disposed in a fixed manner along said module, and extraction meansfor horizontal translation movement orthogonal to said horizontaltranslation movement of the slide and introduced into said slot in orderto eject an article through said apertures in said evacuation means forextracting an article therefrom.
 2. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that each compartment is provided with guide meansenabling identical articles to be staked and in that said extractionmeans is disposed at the level of the base of said slide.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said compartments of saidslide are defined by suspension means enabling articles to be arrangedin a horizontal row, each compartment being adapted to contain a singlearticle, said extraction means being disposed at the level of the baseof said slide.
 4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in thatsaid suspension means comprise at least one notched bar which isparallel to the direction of said horizontal translation of the slide.5. A device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of slides form arow and said extraction means is common to all slides in a particularrow of said module.
 6. A device according to claim 5, characterized inthat said extraction means is secured to said evacuation means.
 7. Adevice according to claim 6, characterized in that said evacuation meansis a conveyor belt disposed perpendicular to the direction of said slidetranslation and in that said extraction means is an ejector lug securedto said belt.
 8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid extraction means consists of an element situated at the level ofthe base of said module parallel to the latter bearing a plurality ofejector fingers associated respectively with each of said slides of saidmodule and subject to a reciprocating movement.
 9. A device according toclaim 8, characterized in that said movement is insured by a linearmotor, the element of which is integral with the armature.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said step-by-step motor is alinear motor.
 11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe inductor of said linear motor is secured to said module and that thearmature is integral with said slide.
 12. A device according to claim11, characterized in that said armature is rendered integral with saidslide by means of a controllable electro magnet cooperating with a metalportion of the slide.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein aplurality of slides form a row and said armature is common to all theslides of said module.
 14. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising means for ejecting said slide out of said module to enable itto be restacked with articles.
 15. A device according to claim 14,characterized in that it also comprises an outer element of said modulecapable of guiding at least part of the slide during its displacement.16. A device according to claim 15, characterized in that a plurality ofvertical slides are disposed side by side and in parallel in saidmodule, said guide elements being displaceable in translation in such amanner as to pass into the extension path of any one of said slides. 17.A device according to claim 15, characterized in that said elementscomprise slideways lying parallel to the movement of said slide.
 18. Adevice according to claim 15, characterized in that said elementscomprise two conveyor belts provided with transverse notched linesdisposed one above the other and separated by a distance no greater thanthe height of said slides.
 19. A device according to claim 14,characterized in that said means for ejecting said slide out of saidmodule is constituted by mobile support and guide means adapted to passinto the extension of this slide.
 20. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that it further comprises a central computeroperatively connected to control elements of said step-by-step motor, ofsaid extraction means, and of said evacuation means.